The Best Markers for Brush Lettering

The Best Markers for Brush Lettering

Brush lettering is so fun! Learning is really just a matter of practice. You can read more about brush lettering and snag some free practice sheets here.

You can find a ton of lettering inspiration and videos on my Instagram!

Beyond markers, there are actually several other ways to do brush lettering. These are the supplies I use most often when brush lettering.

Basic Tools:

I do all my sketching in pencil. Once I’m happy with my layout, lettering, and design, I go over it in marker, let dry, and gently erase out my pencil lines.

• Tombow Sand Eraser – This awesome little eraser is made of natural rubber latex and silica grit. Why is it so cool? It can erase inks and some markers too! Pretty handy for a lettering artist.
• PaperMate Black Pearl Erasers – Not only are they cheap, the eraser dust “balls” so it’s easy to clean up and since it’s black it doesn’t look dirty like pink erasers.
• Palomino Blackwing 602 Pencils – Swoon-worthy pencils with replaceable erasers. My box has lasted me over a year and I draw/letter daily (I bought my current box January 14, 2015!
• Helix T-Square – I use this for nearly every drawing/lettering piece I do. It’s perfect for drawing guidelines to keep your lettering straight.

Paper:

• Canson Marker Paper – This paper is so silky smooth and gentle on your brush tips!
• Rhodia Dot Pad – If, like me, you can’t keep your lettering straight on your own, this is the pad for you as the inside has a dot grid perfect for anyone wanting a subtle grid. Dots are pale violet with 5mm intervals.
• Strathmore Mixed Media Vellum Surface in 9×12 – This is my go to pad for most artwork and lettering. If you’re a lefty like me, you might find the 11×14 size easier to work in since your writing hand is on the same side as the spirals.

The Really Fun Stuff:

• Tombow Fudenosuke (Fude) – If you’re just starting out, these are THE pens to start with hands-down. See my comparison of the Fude to the Dual Tips below.
• Tombow Dual Tips – These. are. amazing. In my Brush Calligraphy Guide + Workbook (below) I show you some really fun ways you can use these, like blending two colors together! Their flexible nylon fiber brush tip, creates medium or bold strokes by changing brush pressure (light pressure for upstrokes, heavy for downstrokes).
• Round Paintbrushes – I use the No. 1 for smaller lettering and No. 4 for larger lettering.
• Water Brushes – The Pentel Arts Aquash water brush can be filled with water to blend, or you can add your favorite ink or dye to make your own portable brush. My favorite is the fine tip.
• Dr. Ph Martin’s Bombay India Inks, Set 1 – These are my favorite watercolors by far and what you see my using in 90% of the videos I post on Instagram. I also have Set 2 and the colors are amazing! My favorite solid Watercolors are the Kuretake Gansai Tambi 36 Color Set.
• Sumi Ink – I use this in my water brushes for black lettering. I mix the ink and water about 50/50.

Ready to learn and practice?

Check out my full guide + workbook here. (Click the link for all the details on what’s included!)

Have you joined my FREE Art + Lettering class yet? It’s a great way to get even more practice. Click the image below to join (it’s run via Facebook group and set up so you can join in and catch up at any time)! Join the creative fun here.

Happy Lettering!

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